TRIBUTES were paid to the brave pilots who lost their lives in the Battle of Britain at a special commemorative service organised by Trafford Council.
The High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, Eamonn O’Neal, the Mayor, Cllr Rob Chilton, and the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Laurence Walsh, attended the event which took place at Sale War Memorial on Sunday.
They laid wreaths and remembered the pilots who died and those who served in the conflict.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of The Battle of Britain which took place during World War II, between Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Luftwaffe, Nazi Germany’s air force, and was the first battle in history fought solely in the air.
Although September 15 is marked annually as Battle of Britain Day, the conflict took place from July 10 to October 31, 1940.
Cllr Judith Lloyd said: “The Battle of Britain was a turning point in World War II. If the RAF had not held off the Luftwaffe, Hitler would have likely moved forward with his Operation Sea Lion invasion of the British Isles.
“This would have been devastating for the British people and all efforts to stem Hitler’s rise to power. “
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